Taking Stock of the ADA

United Spinal’s disability summit rallies self-advocates to discuss the promise of the Americans with Disabilities Act, signed 20 years ago in July.

By Tom Scott

The 2010 Disability Leadership and Policy Summit returned to Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York for its third year. This time around, the discussion focused on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a historic civil rights law that was enacted in 1990 and protects people with disabilities from discrimination. This protection, as many within the disability community have come to realize, is not always guaranteed and the main reason to host a summit of this caliber.

At the Summit’s core was an eclectic panel of disability experts—Lynnae Ruttledge, Commissioner, Rehabilitation Services Administration, U.S. Department of Education; Lawrence Carter-Long, Executive Director, Disabilities Network of New York City; Susan Gordon Ryan, Disabilities Rights Advocate and Activist; Kleo King, Esq., Sr, Vice President, Accessibility Services, United Spinal Association; and Terence J. Moakley, Chairman of the Board, VetsFirst and Founder of the Association for Transportation Instruction.

“It’s hard to imagine that today we are discussing the ADA, 20 years since it was enacted into law,” said Paul J. Tobin, during his opening remarks. “When you ask the average American about great civil rights movements in the United States, they may mention the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964. Yet we know it took another quarter of a century before the civil rights of people with disabilities were recognized and that our community was provided access to many things that citizens without disabilities take for granted.”

Eternal Vigilance

The recurrent theme throughout the Summit was to never forget the promise of the ADA, to be as active as you can be, and to always challenge the public’s negative perceptions of people with disabilities.

Attendees—mostly self- advocates, activists, and disability professionals who fight the good fight of enabling independence and improving rights—were also a big part of the event. Many looked forward to the opportunity to participate in an unfiltered and candid discussion on issues including accessibility, healthcare, employment, transportation, and basic everyday problems that a lot of individuals with mobility impairments and other disabilities encounter.

“I came to this event because it gave me a chance to speak my mind. It’s a shame that many people with disabilities suffer in silence,” said attendee Kathy Broady. “The problem for many, especially those who are not born with a disability, is that they know nothing about living with one. Then all of a sudden they are injured or diagnosed with a condition and still know nothing. It’s really important to build resources and educate yourself as well as the public.”

“I’ve been in this fight for so many years and I’ve seen small changes,” she continued. “In my opinion, more time and money has been spent trying to get around ADA law then following it. I don’t want any pity from anyone, just an opportunity to prove my abilities and talents. We as a community need converts to take up this fight.”

Ruttledge discussed how the ADA continues to provide people with disabilities the opportunity to make a difference. “It’s an opportunity to forge better communication and stronger partnerships so that people can exercise not only their rights, but their responsibilities,” she said. “Whether it be voting, advocating in universal design, or [supporting] innovations for people with disabilities in the workplace.”

Ruttledge went on to challenge the audience. “How are we going to lead the way? How are we going to be mentors? How are we going to be active in our communities? I really encourage people to run for office, volunteer to serve on a board, become involved in your community, look at how services are being funded and not funded, and lend your voice to make things happen.”

Visionaries

Following the summit, United Spinal honored Charles D. Hammerman, President & CEO, The Disability Opportunity Fund; Angela Melledy, Founder & Publisher, Able Newspaper; and PepsiCo EnAble with this year’s 2010 Visionary Award, for their leadership, extraordinary service, and outstanding commitment to advancing the lives of people with disabilities.

“We couldn’t function as a company or as an enable organization without the involvement, contribution, and advice from organizations like United Spinal Association, who have really been a critical resource in helping us shape our policy internally,” said Pepsico representative Mary McEvoy, who received the 2010 Visionary Award on behalf of Pepsico EnAble, which is committed to providing guidance to ensure the inclusion of people with differing abilities in all aspects of PepsiCo’s business and culture—including its employees, consumers, partners and suppliers.

Summit moderator Jim Weisman, SVP and General Counsel of United Spinal, who was invited to the White House to witness the signing of the ADA and played a role in drafting portions of this important law, described his experience during this historic time in American history and its great importance to all in attendance.

“When I showed up at the White House for the signing there were probably a thousand people with disabilities on the White House lawn,” Weisman said. “ I felt insignificant and lucky. And I realized that generations of people with disabilities who lived and died and had advocated for disability rights were not able to witness this. It was the most remarkable day and the next 20 years have been remarkable. So much has happened regarding disability rights in the past 20 to 30 years. And to have been around to watch it happen has been a privilege and honor.”

Tobin concluded, “Today’s program and honorees exemplify the ADA. They embrace it. They incorporate it into their work, into their mission, and into their lives. I want to thank everyone for coming out and participating in this discussion because it enables us to further our mission and take our vision and turn it into reality. I hope that you will participate with us in the years to come as we try to advance the rights of people with disabilities.”

Among the organizations in attendance were Hope Fitness, which provides personal or group fitness training for people with disabilities of all ages; the Nassau County Office for the Physically Challenged, which serves as the disability rights advocacy agency for the county’s 200,000 adults and children with disabilities; Opti-Healthcare, a service providing medical, dental, and habilitative care options to people with disabilities; and American Council for the Blind, a nonprofit seeking to promote the independence and dignity of persons with visual impairments.

United Spinal would like to thank all Summit sponsors including Pepsico EnAble, Acorda Therapeutics, HUB International, New York Community Bank Foundation, Summit Express Medical Supply, United Health Care, NYS EPIC, and Center for Wealth Preservation.

Tom Scott is staff editor.